[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Science, technology and education](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science) › [Ancient Indian Education: An Inquiry into its Origin, Development, and Ideals](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.keay-1918) › c4.172 # Ancient Indian Education: An Inquiry into its Origin, Development, and Ideals c4.172 Ancient Indian Education: An Inquiry into its Origin, Development, and Ideals c4.172 - **Language:** English ### [c4.172](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.keay-1918.c4.172) A development of the relation between teacher and pupil, which has already been sketched, was the exaltation of the teacher to such a position of reverence that he was worshipped by his pupil.¹ In the schools of the early Vedānta the teacher, or \*guru\*, was always one who was himself supposed to have reached emancipation, and thus to have come to the realization that he is Brāhman. In his devotion, or \*bhakti\*, for Brāhman it was but a short step for the pupil to feel \*bhakti\* also for the \*guru\*, who was thus identified with Brāhman. This is referred to as early as the \*Śvetāśvatara Upanishad\*² (perhaps about the fourth century B.C.), but it received a great emphasis in all the chief \*bhakti\* sects (Vaishṇava, Śaiva, or other) from at least the seventh century A.D. In these the disciple is taught to worship his \*guru\* as God. This was of course an honour paid to a religious teacher, but it had an effect upon the relation of all pupils and teachers, and helps to explain the high respect which students of to-day have even for a teacher of secular subjects. - [Previous: c4.171](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.keay-1918.c4.171) - [Next: c4.173](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.keay-1918.c4.173) - [Up: c4](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.keay-1918.c4) ## Cites (1) - [Śvetāśvataropaniṣad](https://indike.org/pramana/in.veda.upanisad.mukhya.svetasvatara) — Śvetāśvatara, Sanskrit --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.keay-1918.c4.172](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.keay-1918.c4.172) · Pramāṇa